After moving through the Divide, the group had taken on a contract in the desert. Stenson argued that the desert sands would be rough on his fine plate armor, but Ordna told him to deal with it or wear a different armor set. He wore the same armor set. Quinta and Akahsha grew even closer, to the point where they were nigh inseparable. She adored his stories, and he adored her magic. Somehow it reminded him of his mother, and it was strangely comforting. He felt guilty, as he figured she would rather spend time with her more well-acquainted party members, but she didn’t seem to mind all too much.

Stenson led the group through the Western lands, and through Forkwind. They stopped for a couple of nights in the city walls, and Akahsha was astonished with its structure. He’d seen his town, and another decent sized town, but Forkwind was the first city he’d seen.

“I didn’t know cities were this size,” Akahsha said with awe.

“If you think this is large, wait until you eventually see Heaven’s Gate. That’s a magnificent place there.” Stenson chortled.

“I dislike big cities. I feel more at home in the wilds.” Ordna spoke up.

The group was in the middle of the trader’s district. Goods were being peddled, and the populace was bustling. A few children ran after each other, dodging adults as they carried bags and baskets of produce.

“Personally I don’t mind cities nor forests. They both have their monsters,” Quinta cleared her throat.

“Well that’s definitely terrifying.” Akahsha looked over at Quinta, who stood with her face towards him, but her eyes at something else. Akahsha followed her gaze to an inn across the way.

“We haven’t slept in an inn since before the Divide. Do you think we can stay there tonight, Stenson?” Quinta asked. Stenson checked his coin purse and after silently muttering words to himself, presumably to do math, he nodded and pointed towards the inn.

“Absolutely, we may stay there tonight, then purchase our provisions and leave first thing tomorrow morning.” Stenson decreed.

The group followed behind as they entered the busy tavern. Tradesmen and workers alike gawked at the colorful troupe, and young Akahsha looked about the establishment. There was a grand stage for a performer to play. There were many tables about, most sat with men and women of varying degrees. There was a table of mostly miners, as their skin was coated in the black dust from the mines. Even some off-duty guards were sat a table, jesting amongst themselves.

Stenson purchased the two rooms they figured they’d need, no sense in four if they were just sleeping the one night. It wasn’t late, however, so they figured they would stay in good company for the next while. It was about four o’clock, and they dropped their bags off in their rooms. Akahsha was wearing the same clothing that he was when he left Holstenkaft, even if his armor were different. They were the pieces of clothing his mother had sewn for him four years ago. Had it been that long? Surely he was misremembering.. No, no there was no way. It had to be so. He pondered if he found them comfortable, or if the nostalgia was the sole thing keeping him clinging on to it.

“I might wish to run into the tailor’s district. I’d like to buy some clothes.” Akahsha stated to the table in which he sat at. Stenson dug in his coin purse and handed him ten gold pieces, and before letting them go he stared at Akahsha.

“No running off,” Stenson furrowed his brow.

Akahsha was frozen. He looked into the eyes of the old man. Stenson let go.

“I’ll go with him, you know, to make sure he doesn’t run off.” Quinta stood and smiled at Akahsha, who was still put-off. She grabbed him by his arm, he rose, and they were off.

Once outside, Akahsha looked at Quinta and she looked at him. She looked down at the ground, nodding slowly.

“He’s been acting strange the last few days.” Quinta said, and she forced Akahsha to keep walking by dragging him along. “He figured that you’d run off on us by now.”

“Why is that?” Akahsha was genuinely curious.

“Something about you being afraid, and that how he’s afraid you’ll slow us down.” Quinta said, and Akahsha stopped walking. She was jerked back by her grip on his arm. She frowned and stared into his eyes.

“I’m not afraid,” Akahsha said.

“I never said you were. Stenson did.”

Akahsha began to walk and placed her hand over Quinta’s, which was wrapped around his arm. They passed by homes where families gathered for supper, and the sun sat on the horizon. Shops were going to be closing in hours, and they didn’t have much time to lose. They entered the Tailor’s district. Men and women stood in their shops and slaved away with needle and thread, and various dyes to produce varieties of apparel.

“Akahsha..” Quinta said to break the silence that had been lingering for a few minutes.

Akahsha gulped. He knew that he was afraid. His body would go cold when he was afraid, and he could see some of the times where his mind became fuzzy. Even then, the whole time walking with Quinta, he was afraid that the words that Stenson spoke were true. He was afraid, and he was slowing everyone down.

“It’s okay, Quinta.” He spoke and looked around him. “I’m afraid, but I’ll try not to be. I told you, my father was a Monster Hunter. If he could hunt monsters all of his life, I’m sure I can, too. I’m going to have to learn how to be brave from each and everyone of you. It may take me some time, but I promise I will try.”

He looked at Quinta, who was oddly smiling with teary eyes directly back at him. He cocked his head a bit and squinted his eyes at her, being as confused as ever. She used her other hand to wipe away the tears.

“Okay, Akahsha. We’re here.” Quinta said, and let go of his arm.

They entered the tailor, and Akahsha had never seen so many pieces of clothing in one place. The interior was very basic in its design, but the clothing made it look spectacular. Lined on the walls were rows upon rows of different choices of wear, from leather vests to fur-lined shoes. Akahsha looked around and found a pair of brown trousers, which were only three silver. He found a red and purple shirt with intricate lining. It was made of cotton, but it was quite nice. It was a gold piece, and he purchased that, too. He bought some leather boots for five silver, and a leather cloak for six silver. He compiled the change back into a coin purse to return to Stenson. After making his purchases, he put on his new clothing and emerged from behind a curtain used for fitting. Quinta looked him up and down, smirking and nodding her head.

“Looking good,” Quinta stood and admired his new choice of wear.

Quinta also made some purchases. She bought a new black dress, tight fitting and with the right amount of frills to make her feel like royalty. She purchased purple tights, and black boots. She tried on her outfit, and Akahsha sat in her place when she were watching him.

As she emerged, Akahsha was taken away by her beauty. Her curves were accented perfectly by the design of the dress. The tights made her appear more mystic, and the boots were definitely comfy.

“What do you think?” Quinta looked at Akahsha.

“Definitely looks good,” Akahsha blurted out. “I mean good fitting- I mean the style is quite nice. It’s nice. You look nice.”

“Why thank you,” She curtsied.

They walked back towards the inn. The stars were now out, and the sun was completely tucked away and out of sight. Lanterns were strung across the streets all across town. They walked next to each other, not touching one another. Their boot steps and the nocturnal ambience were all the sounds they could hear. Few people remained on the streets at this time of night. Most were back home with their families, or still at their stores or stalls closing down. Akahsha looked up and watched the stars for a moment. Quinta grabbed him abruptly and jerked him to a halt. He was dazed out of course, and he looked at her with great annoyance, until she pointed at the bench that he nearly tripped over, had she not stopped him.

He smiled and scratched his head. They walked around a small park that they’d passed by earlier. Their footsteps were matching with each stride at this point.

“Did you ever think about not adventuring?” Quinta asked.

“Truth be told, I rarely thought of much back home. I never yearned for adventure anywhere away from home. I always came back. Even when I ventured off to the Feywilds, my mother’s singing would always bring me back. I was on my own for two years, wandering aimlessly around town until I came to. I’d just been eating and swinging a sword, trying to quiet the voices that spoke in my head.”

“It sounds like you’ve had your fair share of adventures already.” She said.

“I guess,” he said, and looked up at a statue.

The statue was a masked man, with a canary perched upon his left shoulder. It was placed in the center of the town square. There were four lanterns placed around it in a square formation. It was a beautiful sight, he thought. He stopped for a moment and inspected the plaque placed on the base of the statue. It read: “The Heroes of Forkwind”

But that’s just a man, Akahsha thought. “Okay, now we can go.”

They walked past the houses, all spaced out from one another, but only about seven feet between each building. The alleys weren’t plentiful, but they were around. Gardens resided behind several main buildings on the way to the tavern. They could see them from the outside.

“Flowers are beautiful, aren’t they?” Quinta remarked.

Akahsha thought of his mother’s garden, and how his father would bring back different seeds from foreign places. His father didn’t leave often, but when he did he would often be gone for months at a time. It was earlier on in his life, but he would return with splendors of his travels.

“Yeah,” Akahsha said.

They returned to the tavern, both with new outfits. Ordna raised her eyebrows and gave a good smirk with a hint of approval. Several empty mugs sat in front of her. Stenson slammed his hands on the table with disapproval.

“I sent you with him to keep an eye on him, not spend my money.” Stenson barked.

“Relax, sir. I used my old coin on myself.” Quinta replied.

“Yes, here is your change, sir.” Akahsha politely said, and gave him the coin purse.

Stenson searched through the coin purse with dedication to count each piece in its authenticity.

“Stenson, not every piece of currency is counterfeit.” Ordna spoke up.

“I won’t be fooled again, Ordna. Leave me to my money, and I’ll leave you to yours.” He grumbled. He looked around at the table, put his money away, and picked up a plate of food in front of him. “I’ll see you all in the morning. I suggest you all get some rest, seeing as how we will be travelling to the Desert in the Southern lands.”

Then he walked upstairs, and shut the door.

Everybody let out a deep breath. They looked amongst themselves. Ordna picked up the pint of ale in front of her and drank frivolously.

“What’s his problem?” Quinta asked, raising her brow.

“I don’t fucking know.” Ordna said, and then she drank more.

Akahsha looked between the two of them, and inhaled a deep breath.

“Counterfeit.” He repeated to himself.

“Did you say something?” Quinta asked.

“Yeah, what does counterfeit mean?” Akahsha looked between the two. “Sorry, I’m just trying to learn words.”

“It means fake,” Ordna chuckled. “Like counterfeit kindness. Which is what I’m going to be practicing for the next few days. So don’t you mind me, okay?”

Akahsha was confused to a degree, but he understood what could have been going on. He never saw his parents fight, hardly even bicker. It was true love, or so Akahsha thought. Now, though, he could see that there was no love. There was no family in this party. He was disappointed, and sighed.

“Okay, but he is right, we should get some sleep.” Akahsha rose from the table. “Good night, ladies.”

“Goodnight,” Quinta said.

“Night,” Ordna hiccuped.

Akahsha went upstairs and opened the door. The room was dark, and the energy coming from it was fierce. He walked inside, closed the door, took off what he needed to, and went to sleep.

In his dreams he was in the Feywilds. His eyes were greeted by bushes of yellow, and a large red bird with blue eyes. It sat on a tree branch above, and looked down at Akahsha.

“It’s coming.” It said in Sylvan.

He jolted awake. The sun was bright through the windows, and Stenson was clad in his armor.

He looked at the boy and grinned.

“Sleep rough?” The old man grumbled.

“I don’t remember,” Akahsha said. He always remembered. Why not now..?